Handcrafted Irish Lever Harps

Crafting Custom Irish Harps

At Eala Harps, I create exquisite one-off Irish lever harps using the finest materials, designed for both traditional and concert harp players. Every aspect of the harp's construction is geared towards creating an instrument with its own particular voice. No detail is spared, from the seasoned 'moon spruce' of the soundboard to the 6500 year old native bog oak of my logo.

My Passion is Sound

I specialise in high-tension harps, searching for a rich palette of colour in every harp.

As a multi-instrumentalist, the most important aspect of any instrument is that it offers me a range of sound textures and opportunities.

My model of harp

The model I make now has evolved quite significantly from the model I started out making. Initially I used a 5 stave back in poplar. Over time I moved to a round back shell, and my inspiration for the process of construction came from Rick Kemper of Sligo harps and Larry Fisher of Fisher harps.

The round back shell is made in a vacuum press. It is extremely light but also particularly strong, and allows a choice of different veneers on the outside.

Carving the neck

I like to carve the neck of the harp, where it rests against the player's shoulder. It takes time, but time is something I invest in my harps. The soft curves echo the flow of the harmonic curve,

All harps come with their own custom made carrying case and hood. Included is a full set of strings, a tuning key and a string chart.

Restoration and Repair

I have been making instruments for 25 years. Firstly I was very fortunate to attend the month-long residence offered by master luthier , Bill Patterson, in the Wexford VEC. I attended this over several years and made a few violins, one of which I play to this day.

I was fortunate to meet and become friends with the Dublin based harpmaker Colm O Meachair. Colm trained me in his approach to harpmaking, but also his own understanding of the process which gave me enormous insight into the craft.

Custom Irish Harps

Handcrafted harps for traditional and concert players, made with the finest materials and craftsmanship.

High Tension Harps

Designed for traditional players and classical players, my harps offer the big sound associated with concert harps. The carbon fibre strings from Alto A to 4th F are of a higher tension and gauge than most other harps. This puts enormous strain on the instument and consequently my harps have to be overbuilt to allow for this.

Artisan Craftsmanship

Each harp is meticulously crafted, ensuring quality and resonance that meets the highest standards of musicianship.

One approach I learned from Colm was to tune each soundboard with a tuning fork, so as to maintain an even resonance throughout the registers.

Handcrafted Harps

Explore our exquisite collection of handcrafted Irish lever harps.

“There is a purity of sound in Tomás’s harp that captivates me. I delight in playing my Eala harp. Tomás is a consummate professional and master craftsman who strives for excellence in all that he does. This shows in each and every instrument he creates. I feel very lucky to perform on his harps.”

Aisling Ennis

★★★★★